卡迪夫大学招收环境科学博士
About the Project
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Prominent ocean island volcanoes often experience recurrent cycles of vigorous volcanic growth followed by catastrophic gravitational collapse, at the scale of a few hundreds of thousands of years, making them some of the most hazardous geological entities in our ocean basins. What exactly controls the geometry, dynamics, trigger, and timing of such cycles is, however, yet poorly understood, hampering our capability to solidly forecast the occurrence of future cataclysmic events and consequently estimate the real hazard potential of these volcanoes. This PhD project will investigate this problem and provide new insights into the factors that control the cycles of growth and destruction of prominent oceanic volcanoes. To achieve this the project will use the rather unexplored Tope de Coroa volcano in Santo Antão Island, Cape Verde Archipelago, as a case study. Tope de Coroa is a prominent stratovolcano standing nearly 7 km from the seafloor and 2 km above sea level, with a vigorous history of volcanic activity and the occurrence of at least 2 large-scale gravitational flank collapses in the last 500 kyrs, as well as recent signs of unrest. The lessons learned through the selected case study are expected to significantly advance our knowledge of such volcanic systems, with applications to other similar settings such as Fogo (Cape Verde) and Tenerife (Canary Islands), and with critical societal implications in terms of increasing our resilience to volcanic eruptions and tsunamigenic volcanic landslides.
PROJECT AIMS AND METHODS
The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the factors that lead and control the recurrent cycles of growth and destruction, on a small spatial scale, of prominent ocean island volcanoes. In particular, the project will seek to provide key insights to the following scientific questions: (a) what structural aspects control the spatial occurrence and recurrence of gravitational flank collapses in these settings? (b) what mechanisms lead to the post-collapse rapid volcanic growth on top of collapse scars? (c) are flank collapses preceded – or accompanied – by paroxysmal explosive eruptions? (d) can we identify a predictable pattern in growth and collapse cycles and their timings, i.e. can we develop tools to forecast the likelihood of future catastrophic events based on their structure, state of flank instability, and gravitational potential? To answer these questions the student will use Tope de Coroa volcano as a case study. The student will, accordingly, contribute to the detailed reconstruction of the geological history of the Tope de volcano and the timing of its key formational events using a myriad of tools – such as field observations, Ar-Ar geochronology, volcano-stratigraphic and tephro-stratigraphic correlations (e.g. using geochemical tools), and remote sensing – with significant scope for adaptation of the research programme to suit the student’s interests. A gravimetric survey will also be undertaken to investigate the internal architecture of the region where the volcano is located and the possible causal relationship between gravitational instability and intrusive activity along the island’s main structural rift zones, also opening the possibility of exploring more numerical approaches if the student so wishes. The project will then involve a comparison with the state of knowledge of other volcanic systems, and the drawing of wider implications. In summary, the project will thus include both a field, instrumental, remote-sensing, and laboratorial component, spanning the disciplines of volcano stratigraphy, structural geology, geophysics, remote-sensing, petrology & geochemistry, and geohazards.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
The candidate should have a background in Earth Sciences, Geology and/or Geophysics and should be enthusiastic in the undertaking of fieldwork in a rough volcanic terrain in the tropics, as a well work in the employment of geophysical and/or geochemical tools. Previous training in volcanology/volcanic geology is desirable but not mandatory.
PROJECT PARTNERS
The student will be integrated in the Centre for Solid Earth and Natural Resources of Cardiff University, a vibrant academic community in which 100% of the staff conducts research considered to be internationally relevant or world-leading in the last Research Excellence Framework evaluation. The student will also work in close partnership with the world-leading Bristol Volcanology Group, where co-supervisor Juliet Biggs is based and with the UK Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET) where she is the deputy director (Volcanoes). Critically, the project will synergistically capitalise on the expertise of the lead supervisor Ricardo Ramalho on volcanostratigraphy, volcanic flank collapses and the geology of Tope de Coroa, on the expertise of co-supervisor Juliet Biggs on volcano deformation with mathematical modelling to study processes in magmatic systems, and on the expertise of co-supervisor Marc-Alban Millet on the petrological/geochemical evolution of magmatic systems on the use of geochemical tools in tephrostratigraphic correlations. It will also entail in collaborations with Prof. Sydney Hemming of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory on Ar-Ar geochronology and with Dr Bruno Faria of the Cape Verde Geophysical Institute (INMG-CV).
TRAINING
The candidate will receive training in field volcanostratigraphy and tephrostratigraphy, geological mapping of young volcanic terrains, gravity field surveys & numerical inversion of gravity data, geochemical correlation of tephras, and (optional) Ar-Ar geochronology.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Graduates in an appropriate science subject with at least a First Class or 2:1 Honours degree, OR a 2:2 Honours degree plus an MSc or good MSci.
International students must have a relevant degree in the subject area and have evidence of an English Language qualification. Further information on the English Language can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/postgraduate
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